Join river managers, advocates, stewards, academics and students at the La Quinta Inn Riverside in San Antonio, Texas, for three days of learning, sharing and growing together! We'll explore the physical, economical and social issues surrounding river access in a variety of concurrent sessions, keynote presentations, field trips and discussions.
Physical Access
River access points are the gateways to opportunities for visitors to enjoy and experience water related activities. The sessions in this track will address the challenges of providing for diverse visitor uses and protecting natural resources.
Economic Access
Investments in river access can increase visitor spending that directly supports many types of jobs, businesses, and local governments. The sessions in this track will address sources of funding and diverse partnerships that can lead to thriving river communities.
Social Access
River and waterways access and the opportunity to enjoy and learn about them should be accessible to everyone. The sessions in this track will address the work being done to overcome barriers that keep communities from accessing, enjoying, and protecting rivers.
Potential Topics:
Designing put-ins and take-outs, creating a “brand” and other signage, evolving role of hydro power, river restoration, repairing the effects of natural events or encroaching development, fish passage in-river/dam construction, visual resource management and training, endangered species protection, invasive species management, etc.
Potential Topics:
Funding sources and permitting programs, relationships between economic beneficiaries and administering agencies (i.e., New Braunfels, WORD of Comal County, and San Antonio River Authority), water trails, water districts, outfitting, administrative relationships with tribes, rights of rivers.
Potential Topics:
Welcoming and inclusive experiences, visitor use and management, accessible features and solutions, addressing underserved groups, sexual harassment prevention, institutional barriers like language, underperforming internet, cost and location.
We welcome presentations, panels, and posters that share innovations, creative approaches, successes, and visions for the future of river access from river management professionals (e.g., managers, planners, academics, consultants, and students). Download the Request for Proposals PDF here.
Presentation Formats
You may submit more than one proposal for presentation and/or poster sessions; however, a separate submission is required for each presentation and/or poster session. The in-person meeting rooms will be equipped with a laptop computer, digital projector, screen, and podium. We will evaluate requests for other equipment on a case-by-case basis.
Paper or Topic Presentation: In-person concurrent sessions can be 30, 45, or 60 minutes depending on the type of presentation, including time for questions or discussion. We will be grouping presentations based on similar themes to fit within the 90-minute concurrent format. In addition to presenting in person, a pre-recorded video of your presentation to share on the Symposium app and resource library will be required.
Poster Presentation: Poster presenters will interact with interested participants at the location of the poster display from 6-8 pm during the Welcome Reception on the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. In addition, a PDF copy of your poster to share on the Symposium app and resource library will be required.
Panel or Roundtable Discussion:In-person panel or roundtable discussions can be 45 or 90 minutes, during which several people present or facilitate a discussion or brainstorming session on a specific topic, issue, solution, etc. The discussion should demonstrate a practical application and include audience interaction.
Review and Selection
All proposals will be reviewed by the Program Committee. Due to the limited number of program times available, not all proposals are guaranteed a place in the schedule. All participants submitting a proposal will be notified of acceptance or rejection in October 2022.
Presenter Expenses
All presenters of an accepted proposal must register for the Symposium to participate. As a session organizer, you are responsible for ensuring that your co-presenters understand the policy and register. One-day and Student registration rates will be available.
Submittal Procedures
To submit a proposal, please click the button below. Proposals will be accepted through September 30that midnight EDT.
If you experience any problems submitting a proposal, don’t hesitate to contact [email protected].
Coming soon!
The RMS Symposium takes places every other year and provides a forum for the exchange of ideas and the vetting of policies and strategies concerning river management. This international event encourages the formation of networks and partnerships among a broad range of river professionals. Learn more and find links to past Symposia on our River Management Symposium webpage.
